MotoGP: Michael van der Mark confirmed for Valencia

"Hopefully, it will be a little bit easier now that I know the bike, the tyres and the brakes more" - Michael van der Mark

Michael van der Mark will get a second MotoGP outing in this weekend's Valencia finale, Monster Yamaha Tech 3 has confirmed.

The Dutchman is again deputising for Jonas Folger, sidelined since Motegi by a suspected recurrence of the Epstein Barr virus.

van der Mark, sixth in this year's WorldSBK championship for Yamaha, will be targeting his first grand prix points after qualifying 20th and finishing 16th on his premier-class debut in Malaysia.

"It’s a shame that Jonas cannot ride in Valencia, but I am really honoured that Hervé asked me again because I think it showed that I did quite a good job in Sepang," van der Mark said.

"I have not ridden in Valencia for a long time, but hopefully, it will be a little bit easier than the race in Malaysia, now that I know the bike, the tyres and the brakes more.

"The most important thing is that I hope we have a normal dry weekend, where I can ride a lot of laps and improve myself together with the bike. I just want to make steps forward and close the gap to the front guys plus, just enjoy the occasion because it's an amazing opportunity."

Team boss Herve Poncharal added: "I would like also to welcome Michael van der Mark for his second MotoGP event with Monster Yamaha Tech3. We were quite happy to see that he finished 4th in the second WorldSBK race in Qatar and close to the leading group.

"This is hopefully a sign that he is in good form and I’m sure that this time he will feel more at home on the YZR- M1 and with the Tech3 team, having worked with us in Malaysia. He can go out, have fun and show his true potential."

Full time Tech 3 rider Johann Zarco will be looking to wrap-up a stunning debut season by confirming sixth place in the world championship standings.